NOVEMBER 8, 2013 - VOL 15, ISSUE 45

Technique and Safety

Ice Week

Just enough

Anti-ice systems, even those approved for flight into known icing, are only intended to buy enough time to get out of the ice again. On April 27, 2010, the pilot of a Model 58 Beech Baron disappeared from radar after reporting problems with his airspeed indicator in icy conditions. The pilot and his wife were killed in a near-vertical impact with terrain. Read more in this special report from the Air Safety Institute. Share:  

Ice Week

Leading Edge: Ice

The icing season is upon us, and every so often we are reminded that it can and does bring down not only small, but large aircraft as well. Read more... Share:  

Ice Week

Ice isn't nice

Do you know how to anticipate areas of probable icing, which can accumulate quickly, decreasing lift and increasing drag to the point where continued flight is impossible? Consider what you would do when faced with icing conditions in the Air Safety Institute's new Ice Flight safety quiz. Log in to take the quiz... Share:  

IFR Fix

'Random impromptu routings'

Which word in the instrument pilot's vocabulary is so prized that it commands its own button on navigation units? (Hint: Its symbol is the letter D bisected by an arrow.) Read more... Share:  

Fly like a fighter

Crosswind runway

Variable gusting winds can force a runway change on short notice. Pilots should be prepared to switch runways even on short final, as retired Air Force fighter pilot Larry Brown recounts from his training at the Air Force Academy. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

Advocacy

Aerial ad ban challenged

AOPA is opposing an ordinance being considered in San Francisco to prohibit aerial advertising over the California city, and urged the mayor to "terminate" the proposal in recognition of the FAA's jurisdiction over national airspace. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

More relevant pilot training, testing

An industry-led working group co-chaired by AOPA has released a set of recommendations designed to make pilot testing and training more relevant. The recommendations would affect applicants for the instrument rating and private, commercial, and instructor certificates. Read more... Share:  

Advocacy

FAA issues final rule on air carrier pilot training

The FAA, addressing a mandate from Congress to update air carrier flight training standards and regulations, has published a final rule that stresses basic pilot skills and better tracking of remedial training for crewmembers to avoid "events that, although rare, are often catastrophic," such as the February 2009 crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 near Buffalo, N.Y. Read more... Share:  

Members only

Balancing law and aviation

Judging from the work Yodice Associates has been doing lately to help preserve the freedom to fly, it seems that there are new and bigger legal issues warranting attention. Read more... Share:  

Technology

Article

Cessna Citation X speed confirmed

Cessna has reclaimed the distinction of producing the fastest civilian aircraft, with a top speed of Mach 0.935 confirmed in certification flight tests. Read more... Share:  

Article

Improve aircraft performance

Looking for more power? Start by maximizing what you already have, and then check into supplemental type certificates. Read more... Share:  

Opinion

Blog

Winning the common battle

As scheduled airlines cut back on flights in a practice they call capacity discipline, it's no surprise that business aviation is starting to grow again, writes Opinion Leaders blogger Jack Olcott. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Aviation's university education (and industry) challenge

In the world of aviation higher education, Opinion Leaders blogger Martin Rottler is an anomaly. In the majority of the classes he teaches, he's closer in age to the students in the room than he is to faculty colleagues. Is that a good thing? Read more... Share:  

Gear

Apps of the week

Apps to practice, review flights

With everything that must be managed and monitored in a cockpit, pilots need to be at the top of their game. Developers have created apps to help pilots practice on the ground through simulation and record flight information in the air that can be reviewed and shared after a flight. Read more... Share:  

Travel

Article

FltPlan.com widens FBO fuel-price reporting

FltPlan.com, an Internet-based source of fight planning tools, now provides current fuel pricing information for more than 3,300 fixed-base operations via its website and mobile apps, the company said in a news release. Read more... Share:  

Member benefit

More choices for frequent travelers

AOPA members travel a lot. To meet the needs of members and to provide them with the maximum amount of flexibility and choice, AOPA is announcing the association's newest travel assistance program, MedFlight Freedom. Read more... Share:  

Financial

Article

Terrafugia turns to Wefunder

After a busy year that saw its prototype roadable aircraft fly before thousands at EAA AirVenture, Terrafugia has partnered with a crowdfunding website to raise money. Read more... Share:  

Webinar

Employee or contractor?

A number of federal and state laws establish criteria for determining whether workers at an aviation business are employees or independent contractors. Getting the classification wrong can be costly. A free webinar Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern time will provide businesses with a general overview with guest presenter Ray Speciale, a pilot, lawyer, and CPA. Register here...

Article

Aircraft shipments mixed

The latest data on aircraft shipments released Oct. 31 by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association show a softening demand for business jets. Despite that slowdown, the overall numbers, including revenue, were up. Read more... Share:  

News and Notes

Article

Jetman over Mount Fuji

Swiss pilot Yves Rossy, better known as Jetman, looped and rolled over one of the world's most famous mountains Nov. 6. Read more... Share:  

Article

Your favorite airplane movie

Pilots have discriminating taste when it comes to aviation movies. AOPA Pilot asked readers for their favorite airplane films after listing the 10 great airplane movies according to Time magazine. What's yours? Read more... Share:  

Article

JA Aero Club's creation inspired by AOPA research

AOPA's research on flying clubs in 2012 was so compelling, it helped to create the Sugar Grove, Ill.-based JA Aero Club, which will be based at Aurora Municipal Airport. Read more... Share:  

Article

A memorable day

A New Jersey pilot with a quarter-century of aviation under his belt will count Oct. 24 among the more memorable days of his flying career. Not many people can say they were surrounded by armed men with FBI vests and smile about it. Read more... Share:  

Special offer

Free yearlong military membership

This Veterans Day, AOPA honors all those who have served their country in the military. In recognition of those currently serving, the association offers a complimentary one-year membership to military personnel. Learn more, and share the offer... Share:  

Special offer

Lightspeed offers military discount in November

Dubbing November 2013 Armed Services Appreciation Month, Lightspeed Aviation is offering 10 percent off the retail price of any Lightspeed headset to anyone who is serving or has served in any branch of the U.S. military, when purchased in November. Details are available on the Lightspeed website.

AOPA Strategic Partner

Enterprise Holdings tops J.D. Power customer satisfaction

J.D. Power and Associates released its 2013 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study Nov. 5, ranking National at the top of customer satisfaction, followed by Enterprise and Alamo, respectively. All three are owned by Enterprise Holdings, a Strategic Partner of AOPA. Read more... Share:  

Blog

Bleed air

Turbine-powered helicopters use bleed air for heating, demisting, and other systems like sand filters. Read more... Share:  

Forums

Most useful pilot gadgets

What are some of the most useful pilot gadgets? Read more...